Here are the most important features coming to iOS 14.5 this week

The much-awaited update brings quite a few new features and privacy changes, which means that users should take a backup of their data and install it right away, Here are the most important features coming to iOS 14.5 in the coming days.

iOS 14.5 is coming later this week  (David Grandmougin/Unsplash)

Apple's iPhones have gained a plethora of features over the past couple of years that have brought both new software capabilities, as well as better privacy controls to users. The company released the latest iOS 14 version in September last year, and has been sending out point releases nearly every month, with the exception of iOS 14.5, which the company has spent nearly three months and eight iOS betas testing.

At the company's ‘Spring Loaded' event, Apple launched a handful of new devices, while finally announcing that the iOS 14.5 update will land sometime this week. The much-awaited update brings quite a few new features and privacy changes, which means that users should take a backup of their data and install it right away, Here are the most important features coming to iOS 14.5 in the coming days.

App Tracking Transparency

Arguably Apple's most powerful push for privacy outside of its own apps and services, iOS 14.5 will force every app developer to ask you for your permission before it tracks you across apps on your iPhone or iPad. This will impact all third-party apps on the App Store. 

Companies like Facebook have criticised the move, stating that it will negatively impact their revenue, but privacy advocates have praised Apple's decision, as it gives the user the ability to opt-out of pervasive tracking. The feature will be enabled by default and users will have to opt-in to have their data tracked by apps. 

Dual SIM 5G support

One of Apple's biggest selling points last year while launching the iPhone 12 series, as well as the iPad Pro model this year, was the arrival of 5G support. Unfortunately, the iPhone 12 series, which features dual SIM support, currently doesn't allow using two 5G SIMs simultaneously. 

This will change with the arrival of iOS 14.5 which will add support for dual SIM 5G functionality. We've previously reported that the dual SIM 5G support was in testing with iOS 14.5 beta and now the functionality is finally coming to the stable release later this week.  

Alternative FaceID unlocking with masks

Apple's FaceID support is faster than most in-screen fingerprint scanners today, but thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic, there are rumours its next iPhone line could come with an in-screen fingerprint sensor in addition to FaceID. 

Meanwhile, Apple has put in a new unlocking mechanism to help current iPhone users which makes use of their Apple Watch to quickly unlock their iPhone when they are outside, which will arrive with the iOS 14.5 update

Apple AirTag support

Apple launched its AirTag device tracker earlier this week, which will let users quickly locate their favourite belongings, thanks to Ultra-wideband technology and Bluetooth which will ensure the AirTags also work with older iPhones. 

In order for the AirTag to work with an iPhone, users will have to update to iOS 14.5 and then pair them with the AirTag, which can then be located using the Find My app on their iPhones. The update is expected to arrive later this week.